Holiday Party Beauty Prep Checklist + Printable
A Holiday Party Beauty Prep Checklist will help you look your best for all the big Christmas parties you have on your calendar this year.
Print out the checklist, schedule your appointments and follow these easy tips for how to look your best on a night out!
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Holiday Party Beauty Prep
We don’t go to a big holiday party every single year but when we do, it always stresses me out.
Christmas parties mean that you are always meeting new people and for me, that means that I feel pressure to look my best.
But it can also be a fun excuse to get a little fancier than usual and pamper myself a little.
As long as I lay out a plan for my holiday party beauty, I can breathe easy and enjoy the preparation.
Mix and Match Beauty Tips Based on Your Party
Holiday parties run the gamut from casual and fun to full-on formal.
So whatever type of party you’re attending, just mix and match these before party beauty tips to suit the event.
If you’re going to wear a sweater and jeans for an outdoor event, you probably can skip the spray tan.
But if you’re wearing a formal dress you might opt to get an updo at a local hair salon.
Putting a little bit of thought and planning into your Christmas party prep will help keep you from feeling frazzled.
Self Gifting to Get in the Spirit
I’m sure you’ve been buying gifts for everyone else on your list but getting ready for a holiday get together is a great time to pick up a few things for yourself.
Holiday time usually has sales on beauty (which doesn’t happen all the time!) so it makes sense to splurge on yourself.
I just got the BURST sonic toothbrush at a special price (more below!). And there are always cute little gift sets with new lip glosses, etc. out at this time of year.
Pick up a few extra gift sets to gift to the hostess of the party you’re attending or to share with your co-workers.
2 Weeks Before the Party
Get a Facial \\ If you plan on getting a facial, make sure to do it at least 2 weeks before your party.
While your skin might end up glowing, it can often break out immediately following a facial.
Deep cleaning your pores is awesome but red, blotchy skin is not.
If you had to, you could push this to a week before but I wouldn’t do it any closer to your big night out.
Freshen Up Your Hair Color \\ If you need a touch up for your hair color, reach out to your stylist and see if she can get you in.
Ideally, you would have made an appointment well in advance of the holiday party season, but some invitations come in last-minute.
If she can’t fit you in, you still have time to assess your options whether you try to get in at another salon or go the DIY route (yikes).
Book a Dry Style \\ If you don’t have the skill or just don’t want to tackle it on your own, book an appointment at your local dry style place.
Having someone who knows what they are doing really saves you time on the day of the event.
And you know the finished style will look great.
7 Days Before the Party
Whiten Your Teeth \\ Whether you have it professionally done or do it at home, include time to freshen up your pearly whites.
Depending on what type of product you use, you may even be able to fit in a few treatments to get them looking their best.
4 Days Before the Party
Wax Whatever Needs to be Waxed \\ The redness and potential breakouts after an eyebrow wax wouldn’t be awesome in holiday party photos.
And a red upper lip would let every single party guest know you did, in fact, have a mustache.
3 Days Before the Party
Exfoliate Your Face and Body \\ Dry winter skin can be dull and rough. Using an exfoliator is how to prepare your skin for a big event.
It’s also a good time to exfoliate your body, especially if you’ll be bearing your shoulders or neck area.
Exfoliate before the next Christmas party beauty prep step or you’ll just remove your tan!
Get a Spray Tan \\ Depending on the style of dress you’ll be wearing, now is the time to get your spray tan.
It always takes a few days to have it wear off a little and look less orange-y.
If you don’t want to get a professional spray tan, now is the time to start an at-home lotion that builds in color over several days.
I always use it when I’m wearing a dress in winter.
And don’t forget your face! Using a little tanner on your face (one specifically made for faces) will help you not look so washed out in pictures.
1 Day Before the Party
Get a Manicure and Pedicure \\ I like to do my nails the day before an event. I’m too stressed with a to-do list on the day of the party.
So doing it the day before keeps them looking fresh and leaves me free to worry about the other things.
Day of the Party
Depuff Your Eyes \\ As you are beginning the process of getting yourself ready, pop on some under-eye patches to help depuff.
Moisturize Your Face \\ Moisturized skin is a great base for putting on your makeup so relax for a few minutes with a face mask.
Use a Primer \\ I don’t typically use a makeup primer but I do when going to a big party or when taking photos.
A primer helps to keep the colors of the makeup vivid and helps to create a nice canvas for the makeup.
Use a New Lip Color \\ A new lipstick has a transformative effect on women.
Wear a color you have been wanting to try out. Whether it’s something bold or a more neutral look, there is an excitement to wearing something new!
Set Your Makeup \\ Use a makeup setting spray to keep all your hard work in place.
A little spritz at the end of your makeup routine is the perfect way to finish up your holiday party beauty prep and get out the door. Hopefully on time.
Freshen your Breath \\ Make sure you brush your teeth as part of your party prep! (Preferably before the lipstick!)
Nothing can ruin a gorgeous makeup look faster than bad breath.
I just got the Rose Gold BURST Sonic Toothbrush. You can save $30 on it now for the holidays making it just $69.99 (sale price valid 11/25/19 – 12/2/19.)
BURST is shipped right to your door and when you purchase through my link, you are automatically enrolled in a brush replacement service.
I love this because I’m guilty of using a toothbrush well past it’s prime.
Having it arrive at your house regularly means I’ll always have a fresh brush.
The Rose Gold BURST comes in a pretty box and would make a great gift for all the gals on your list (there is a black option too for the men!).
On a full charge, the toothbrush lasts for 4 weeks!
The details are also so cute! Which totally matters in a toothbrush. :)
The BURST sonic toothbrush removes up to 10 times as much plaque as a regular toothbrush.*
So your mouth will feel fresh and clean as you head to your party.
Here are a few more things I love about my new toothbrush:
- The bristles are charcoal infused to help remove surface stains.
- It has 33,000 sonic vibrations per minute, one of the strongest on the market.
- It has a lifetime warranty, should you need it.
- It has 3 different brushing modes depending on your needs.
- It comes with a 2-minute timer, with notifications every 30 seconds so you can make sure you’re hitting all the quadrants.
- The brush comes with an easy to use (and pretty) travel case so you can take it with you wherever you need it.
- FREE SHIPPING!
*Compared to a manual toothbrush, brushing twice daily in whitening mode for two minutes for a period of 30 days, Data on File.
Don’t miss the great holiday sale for the BURST sonic toothbrush! Get one for you and the ones you love!
I love how soft the bristles are but how clean it leaves my teeth feeling.
And that 2-minute timer is so cool and I know that I’m hitting all the quadrants.
Don’t forget to pack a small purse with night-out essentials like extra powder and lipstick for touch-ups, lip balm and mints.
And after a few weeks of prep you are finally to party. :)
Holiday Party Prep Checklist
Of course, you may not want to or need to do all the things on this checklist but at the very least, take a few seconds to plan out what you do need to do.
Just click the link to print out the Holiday Party Prep Checklist!
See More Beauty Posts:
- Red Carpet Glam on a Budget
- Easy Fall Makeup Look for Moms
- 7 Ways to Update Your Skin Care for Winter
Pin these Before Party Beauty Tips
Print out this Holiday Party Beauty Prep Checklist to keep yourself organized as you get party pretty!
